The Patrick Power Library is committed to teaching students and faculty how to find and use information effectively. The Library offers library instruction to both groups and individuals through its program of classroom and lab instruction, online learning, and research by appointment service. Visit the Library Instruction webpage for more information.
Professors can arrange course-related library instruction for their students. In consultation with the instructor, librarians will tailor sessions to meet individual class requirements and assignments. Our librarians will work with you to develop hands-on activities for students and can visit your classes more than once, as requested. Instruction in advanced research skills and specialized resources can also be arranged for upper-year and graduate classes. When scheduling a library session, please give as much advance notice as possible (preferably two weeks).
Contact Heather Sanderson, Information Literacy Librarian (heather.sanderson@smu.ca / 902-420-5541) to schedule a library instruction session.
Need help with your research? The Library offers personalized assistance through our Research-by-Appointment service. Both students and faculty may schedule one-on-one appointments with a librarian for in-depth assistance with their research needs. Students may use this service to discuss specific research difficulties or to find information for a topic or assignment. This service can also be used by Faculty who would like to discuss with a librarian their research projects or new course proposals (and the resources available to support them). To book your appointment, simply reach out to our Research Help Desk or visit our Research Bookings page. Virtual and in-person appointments are available.
The Library has many subject and research guides and instruction guides available to help students improve their information skills across a variety of topics. You are welcome to link to our guides in your course materials or embed them in Brightspace. We are regularly developing new guides and instructional materials. Along with our subject guides (which focus on specific fields), we also have special topic guides that highlight specific topics including Artificial Intelligence, Citation Styles, and Open Access.
Assistance is offered to individuals requiring instruction in the use of various Statistics and Data tools (e.g., databases related to Statistics Canada and financial databases). In-depth consultation is also available to both faculty and students to discuss data issues in their projects. To make an appointment, visit the Research Help Desk, call us at 902-420-5544, or email research@smu.ca.
Students often turn to library staff for assistance with assignments. Please alert the Research Help team of any assignments that involve large classes, particularly when the assignment may draw on limited research resources. Let us know by emailing Nicole Carter, Reference and Research Librarian at nicole.carter@smu.ca.
For guidance on creating assignments that involve library research, visit our Tips for Developing Research-Based Assignments webpage.
Our librarians can provide information literacy training to your Teaching Assistants. Please contact Heather Sanderson (heather.sanderson@smu.ca / 902-420-5541) or Cindy Harrigan (cindy.harrigan@smu.ca / 902-496-8789) to discuss.
Teaching Assistants may also benefit from attending the Research Toolkit series. Research Toolkit is a series of advanced research skills workshops facilitated by librarians. Sessions typically take place each May and cover topics such as citation searching, finding and using data and statistics, copyright information, and more.